The Best SSDs in the UK (2026)
A fast SSD is the cheapest way to make any PC feel quicker. These are the best-selling NVMe drives in the UK, from value drives for game libraries to blazing PCIe 5.0 models.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | Award | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | Best Overall | 9.0/10 | Amazon → |
| WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB | Best for Gaming | 9.0/10 | Amazon → |
| Crucial P3 Plus 2TB | Best Budget | 8.0/10 | Amazon → |
| Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB | Fastest SSD | 8.5/10 | Amazon → |
| Kingston NV3 1TB | Best Cheap Upgrade | 7.5/10 | Amazon → |
| Crucial T500 2TB | Best PCIe 4.0 Value | 8.5/10 | Amazon → |
| Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB | Best Samsung Value | 8.5/10 | Amazon → |
| Lexar NM790 2TB | Best Budget Fast SSD | 8.0/10 | Amazon → |
1. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
Best for: Boot drives and high-end builds · Price: Mid-range
The Samsung 990 PRO is one of the fastest and most consistent PCIe 4.0 drives available, with Samsung's excellent software and a strong warranty. It's an easy recommendation for a boot drive.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 7,450MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,900MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Near the limit of PCIe 4.0
- Consistent sustained performance
- Excellent Magician software
Cons
- Pricier than value drives
- Heatsink version costs extra
2. WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB
Best for: Gaming PCs and PS5 · Price: Mid-range
A long-time favourite of gamers, the SN850X matches the best PCIe 4.0 drives on speed and is often a little cheaper. The heatsink version is a perfect fit for the PS5.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 7,300MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,600MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Top-tier PCIe 4.0 speed
- Frequently on offer
- PS5-ready heatsink option
Cons
- Can run warm without a heatsink
- Game Mode only on Windows
3. Crucial P3 Plus 2TB
Best for: Game libraries and secondary storage · Price: Budget
If you just need lots of fast storage for your game library, the Crucial P3 Plus delivers PCIe 4.0 speeds at a price that's hard to beat.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 5,000MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 4,200MB/s |
| Endurance | 440TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Excellent price per terabyte
- Plenty fast for gaming
- Runs cool
Cons
- DRAM-less, slows in long transfers
- Lower endurance rating
4. Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB
Best for: Workstations and enthusiast builds · Price: High-end
Samsung's first consumer PCIe 5.0 drive nearly doubles PCIe 4.0 speeds. It's the drive for professionals moving huge files, or enthusiasts who simply want the best.
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 14,700MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 13,400MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Blistering PCIe 5.0 speed
- Efficient for a Gen 5 drive
- Huge capacity options
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to shine
- Expensive per terabyte
5. Kingston NV3 1TB
Best for: Budget builds and laptop upgrades · Price: Budget
The Kingston NV3 is a no-frills way to replace an old hard drive or SATA SSD. It's a perfect budget upgrade for older PCs and laptops with a spare M.2 slot.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 6,000MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 4,000MB/s |
| Endurance | 320TBW |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Fast enough for everyday use
- Single-sided, fits laptops
Cons
- Shorter warranty
- Components can vary between batches
6. Crucial T500 2TB
Best for: Fast boot drives for less · Price: Mid-range
The Crucial T500 delivers top-tier PCIe 4.0 speeds and a DRAM cache for less than the big-name flagships. It's a superb boot drive for gaming and work PCs.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 7,400MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 7,000MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Flagship-class speed
- DRAM cache for consistent performance
- Usually cheaper than rivals
Cons
- Runs warm under sustained load
- Heatsink version costs more
7. Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
Best for: Reliable all-round storage · Price: Mid-range
The 990 EVO Plus brings Samsung's reliability and software to a lower price. It's fast, runs cool, and works in both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 slots.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe 5.0 x2 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 7,250MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,300MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Samsung reliability and Magician software
- Runs cool
- Fits laptops and desktops
Cons
- DRAM-less design
- Slower than the 990 PRO under heavy loads
8. Lexar NM790 2TB
Best for: Lots of fast storage on a budget · Price: Budget
The Lexar NM790 offers near-flagship PCIe 4.0 speeds at a budget price, making it one of the best-value ways to add a lot of fast storage.
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | Up to 7,400MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,500MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,500TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Very fast for the price
- High endurance rating
- Efficient, good for laptops and PS5
Cons
- DRAM-less design
- Less well-known brand
How to choose ssds
PCIe 4.0 is the sweet spot
PCIe 5.0 drives post huge numbers, but in games and everyday use the difference over a good PCIe 4.0 drive is hard to notice.
Look for DRAM cache on your boot drive
Drives with DRAM (or a good HMB implementation) stay responsive under heavy workloads.
Check your slot
Make sure your motherboard has a free M.2 slot that supports the drive's PCIe generation.
PS5 compatible
Most high-end PCIe 4.0 drives work in the PS5's expansion slot; add a heatsink if the drive doesn't include one.
Our scores are editorial ratings based on specifications, pricing and published performance data. Rankings reflect popularity among UK buyers and our assessment of value.